Writing Task 1 Doctors

Occupational English Test
Writing Sub-test: Medicine
Time Allowed:
                              Reading Time: 5 minutes
                              Writing Time: 40 minutes

Read the cases notes below and complete the writing task that follows

Today’s Date
16.02.09

Patient History

Miss Cathy Jones – 25 year old single woman
Occupation – receptionist
Family history of deep vein thrombosis
On progesterone-only pill (POP) for contraception
No previous pregnancies

15.02.09
Subjective
Presents to GP surgery at 7 pm, after work
Complains of lower abdominal pain since the evening before, worse in right iliac fossa
Unsure of last menstrual period, has had irregular bleeding since starting
POP 2 months ago, New partner for past 2 months
No bladder or bowel symptoms

Objective
Mild right iliac fossa tenderness, no rebound / guarding
Apyrexial, pulse 88, BP 110/70
Vaginal examination – quite tender in right fornix. No masses

Assessment
Non-specific abdo pain
Plan: Asks her to return in morning for blood test and reassessment

16.02.09
Subjective
Pain has worsened overnight. Now severe constant pain.
Some slight vaginal bleeding overnight also.
Felt faint while waiting in reception.
On questioning, has left shoulder-tip pain also.

Objective
Very tender in the right iliac fossa, with guarding and rebound tenderness
Apyrexial, Pulse 96, BP 110/70
On vaginal examination, has cervical excitation and markedly tender in the right fornix.
Pregnancy test result positive
Urine dipstick clear

Assessment
Suspected ectopic pregnancy
Plan: You ring the on duty Gynaecology Registrar and ask for urgent assessment, and are
instructed to send her to the A&E Department with a referral letter.

Writing Task

You are the GP, Dr Sally Brown. Write Referral letter to the Gynaecology Registrar at the Mater Hospital, South Brisbane. Ask to be kept informed of the outcome.

In your answer:

• Expand the relevant case notes into complete sentences
• Do not use note form
• The body of the letter should not be more than 200 words
• Use correct letter format